Emily Carter
Taco Bell fans were devastated to learn that the fast-food chain would be discontinuing several menu items in 2024, including the Chicken Chipotle Melt. The Chicken Chipotle Melt, which was introduced to the menu in 2020, was removed to make room for new menu additions, according to a Taco Bell representative. The company has a history of removing popular items to streamline the menu and introduce new items, and while there are no plans to bring back the Chicken Chipotle Melt, fans are hopeful that it will make a comeback.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for discontinuation | Taco Bell stated that the Chicken Chipotle Melt "didn't make the cut" and was removed to make room for new menu additions. |
| Customer response | Fans expressed disappointment and grief over the removal, with some requesting its return. |
| Substitutes | Customers have suggested workarounds to replicate the Chicken Chipotle Melt, such as ordering a Stacker with chicken substituted for beef and adding chipotle sauce. |
| Availability | While officially discontinued, some Taco Bell locations may still have the option available on their old POS systems. |
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What You'll Learn
Taco Bell's history of removing popular items
Taco Bell has a history of removing popular items from its menu, much to the dismay of its passionate fanbase. The fast-food chain, which opened in 1962, has seen its menu change year after year, and sometimes even month after month.
In 2020, Taco Bell removed several items from its menu to simplify its offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the Loaded Grillers, which were burritos pressed like paninis and filled with either beef, chicken, or potatoes. The Beefy Nacho Loaded Griller, for example, consisted of ground beef, crunchy red strips, and nacho cheese. The Loaded Grillers were introduced in 2012 and removed in 2020, though a modified version is still sold in Malaysia. Another casualty of the 2020 menu simplification was the meatless Fiesta Veggie Burrito, which was a favourite among vegetarian customers when it was introduced in 1993.
Taco Bell has also been known to remove items to make room for new arrivals. In 2024, the chain discontinued the Chicken Chipotle Melt, a basic yet popular item consisting of a flour tortilla, cheese, grilled chicken, and chipotle sauce. Other items that have been removed to make way for new offerings include the Beefy Melt Burrito, the Fiesta Veggie Burrito, and the Cinnamon Twists, which were moved to the “drinks and sweets” section.
Some discontinued items have sparked fan campaigns for their return, and Taco Bell has occasionally revived certain items. The Mexican Pizza, for example, was removed in 2020 but brought back in 2022 due to intense fan demand. Dolly Parton and Doja Cat even created "Mexican Pizza: The Musical" to express their emotions about the item's discontinuation. Other items that have been brought back include the Volcano Menu, the Enchirito, and the Beefy Fritos Burritos.
While some Taco Bell creations have become permanent fixtures on the menu, the ever-changing nature of the offerings means that not all items can enjoy a long-term stay.
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The Chicken Chipotle Melt's replacement
Taco Bell has discontinued its Chicken Chipotle Melt, much to the disappointment of its fans. The item has been replaced by the Three Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt, which features in the Specialties section of the menu where the Chicken Chipotle Melt used to be.
The Three Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt is made with grilled, marinated all-white-meat chicken, Creamy Chipotle sauce, and a blend of mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar cheeses. While some fans are unhappy with the replacement, others have found that the Stacker with chicken substituted for beef, no nacho cheese, and added chipotle sauce tastes similar to the Chicken Chipotle Melt.
In addition to the Three Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt, Taco Bell has also introduced several other new items to its 2024 Value Cravings Menu, including the Stacker, Double Stacked Taco, Chicken Enchilada Burrito, Cheesy Double Beef Burrito, and Loaded Beef Nachos. These new meal-sized offerings are intended to leave customers feeling fuller for longer.
While the Chicken Chipotle Melt may no longer be available, fans can take comfort in the fact that Taco Bell has brought back other discontinued items in the past, such as the Mexican Pizza, and there is a chance that the Chicken Chipotle Melt could make a comeback in the future.
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The Chicken Chipotle Melt's ingredients
The Chicken Chipotle Melt was added to Taco Bell's Cravings Value Menu in November 2020. It included "marinated all-white meat grilled chicken, creamy chipotle sauce, and cheddar cheese rolled and melted together". The tortilla wrap could be substituted for flatbread, although this added 100 calories and 10g of carbs.
The Chicken Chipotle Melt was discontinued in January 2024, along with the Beefy Melt Burrito, Fiesta Veggie Burrito, and $5 Classic Combo. The reason for its discontinuation was to make room for new menu additions, including The Stacker, Double Stacked Taco, 3 Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt, Chicken Enchilada Burrito, Cheesy Double Beef Burrito, and Loaded Beef Nachos.
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The Chicken Chipotle Melt's fan base
Fans of the Chicken Chipotle Melt were left disappointed when Taco Bell discontinued the item in 2024. The Chicken Chipotle Melt was introduced in November 2020, alongside the Dragonfruit Freeze, and was added to the Cravings Value Menu for $1. The melt was described as containing "marinated all-white meat grilled chicken, creamy chipotle sauce, and cheddar cheese rolled and melted together."
One fan commented, "This item 'chicken chipotle melt' was the only thing I would get here. It made me love Taco Bell. But now that it's gone, I feel like I'm lost in space with a flavor I can only dream about now. Very disappointed in the decision Taco Bell made here." Another said, "Taco Bell, why do you do this to me?"
Some fans have found ways to continue enjoying the flavour of the Chicken Chipotle Melt by substituting items on the Taco Bell menu. One fan suggested, "Just order a soft taco with chicken, chipotle sauce, and cheese. That's all it was." Another recommended, "Just tried the Stacker hack with slow-roasted chicken, no nacho cheese with added chipotle. And it was an acceptable substitute."
Despite these workarounds, the Chicken Chipotle Melt's fan base was left saddened by the item's discontinuation, with some taking to social media to mourn the loss of one of their favourite Taco Bell menu items.
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The Chicken Chipotle Melt's availability
The Chicken Chipotle Melt was added to Taco Bell's Cravings Value Menu in November 2020 for just $1. The melt included "marinated all-white meat grilled chicken, creamy chipotle sauce, and cheddar cheese rolled and melted together inside a flour tortilla". However, as of January 2024, the Chicken Chipotle Melt has been discontinued.
According to a statement from Taco Bell, the melt, along with the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito, Beefy Melt Burrito, Fiesta Veggie Burrito, and $5 Classic Combo, "didn't make the cut". The company has a history of removing popular items to make room for new arrivals or to streamline the menu.
Some Taco Bell locations still have the button for the melt on their old POS systems, but they are not supposed to offer it to customers anymore. One employee commented that they are still honouring the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito, but not the melt.
Despite the Chicken Chipotle Melt being discontinued, some fans have found ways to order something similar. One suggestion is to order a Stacker with chicken substituted for beef and add chipotle sauce. Another option is to order a soft taco with chicken, chipotle sauce, and cheese. Alternatively, as of October 2023, customers can order a Cheesy Roll Up with added chicken to get the same taste as the Chicken Chipotle Melt.
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Frequently asked questions
Taco Bell discontinued the Chicken Chipotle Melt to make room for new meal-sized offerings.
New items introduced to the 2024 Value Cravings Menu include The Stacker, Double Stacked Taco, 3 Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt, Chicken Enchilada Burrito, Cheesy Double Beef Burrito, and Loaded Beef Nachos.
Some other popular items that Taco Bell has discontinued include the Quesarito, 7-Layer Burrito, Beefy Fritos Burrito, Mexican Pizza, and Nachos Supreme.
Although the Chicken Chipotle Melt is no longer listed on the Taco Bell menu or app, some people have found ways to recreate it by substituting certain ingredients in other items. For example, ordering a Stacker with chicken substituted for beef and adding chipotle sauce.
